What Is the Story Behind the Indian Mythical Dragon

Dragons are commonly associated with European and Asian countries like China and Nepal, but Indian mythology also has a prominent dragon legend - Vritra. While not as well-known, it challenges the notion that dragons are exclusive to Western and Eastern cultures. Here's the tale of the Indian dragon.

Source: Fandom Wiki

When we talk about dragons, India isn't the first country that comes to mind. The mythical creatures are mostly associated with European folklore and mythology. Western countries, including England, France, Germany, and Scandinavia, are more renowned for their legends.

Even when we turn to Asia, nations like China & Nepal take the cake. However, not many people know that there are mentions of mythical dragons in Indian mythology as well. The most prominent one of those is the legend of Vritra.

According to Hindu mythology, Vritra was a powerful asura, or demon, who was born from the cosmic waters during the creation of the universe. He is often depicted as a giant serpent or dragon with multiple heads and a body that stretches across the sky.One of the most famous tales involving Vritra is his battle with Indra, the king of the gods. The story goes that Vritra had stolen all the water in the world, causing a drought and famine that threatened to destroy all life.Faced with this dire situation, Indra, the god of thunder and lightning, waged a ferocious war against the fearsome demon. The titanic struggle raged on for years, with Vritra using his formidable powers to withstand many of Indra's attacks. But the god was not one to be defeated so easily. However, Indra ultimately prevailed by using a special weapon called the vajra, which he had obtained through a difficult quest. With the vajra in hand, Indra delivered a final, thunderous blow that shattered Vritra's defenses and restored water to the parched world.

As a result of his victory over Vritra, Indra earned the epithet "Vṛtrahan," or "Slayer of Vritra," and was also known as the "slayer of the first-born of dragons." Vritra's mother was Danu, who was also the mother of the Danava race of Asuras. Following his triumph over Vritra, Indra then turned his attention to Danu and vanquished her as well, using his thunderbolt to claim victory.Vritra embodies both chaos and balance in Hindu mythology. He caused suffering by stealing water, battling gods, and wrought destruction. Yet, he also represents the power of darkness and cosmic wisdom and is revered by some.In addition to Vritra, there are many other dragons and serpent-like creatures in Hindu mythology. One of the most well-known is the naga, a serpent deity that is often depicted with a human upper body and a serpent lower body. The naga is a powerful symbol of fertility and prosperity and is often associated with water and the life-giving forces of nature.Another famous dragon in Hindu mythology is the Makara, a sea monster that is often depicted with the head of a crocodile and the body of a fish or sea serpent. The Makara is often associated with the god of love and desire and is seen as a symbol of the power of transformation and change.Despite their fearsome reputations, dragons and serpent-like creatures are revered in Hindu mythology for their association with the forces of nature, fertility, and cycles of birth and death. Vritra is a captivating and complex figure, embodying both chaos and balance. His battles with gods, especially Indra, are popular tales. Whether viewed as a demon or wise figure, Vritra symbolizes the intricate and conflicting forces that shape our world.